Portal by Calculation

[ejpvi]

This is probably a stupid question (there are no stupid questions..right?)

Right now I have a Portal setup I don't really like. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into a calculated Portal, if it even exists.

Right now I have a related table, and I only want it to return records based on two variables. I know what both variables are, One is an item number, the other is a Status. I have many Statuses stored in this table, but I only want it to return a certain one... lets call it "A"

I had to create a Global Variable and keep it populated with "A" to fulfill the other condition of the portal relationship, the Item # wasn't a problem, it is already populated.

What would be really nice, is if I could get rid of the global variable, and tell the portal relationship to just return it if Item = Item, and Status = "A"

This would solve my second problem, where I also want a condition

Item = Item

Status = "A" or Status "AD"

I would have to create multiple global variables and keep them populated with those 2 conditions if I wanted that to work...

I Suppose it works, but I don't want anyone to change those values.

Seems like a calculated Portal would have its uses.

Anyone seen anything like this?

[comment]

I would have to create multiple global variables and keep them populated with those 2 conditions if I wanted that to work...

I Suppose it works, but I don't want anyone to change those values.

You can use unstored calculation fields instead of the globals.

[LaRetta]

I would create a global (text) field. If you want it to default always to 'A' and 'AD' then type those status codes into the text field while the file is unserved as A (carriage return) AD. Then join as:

Main::Item = Portal::Item

AND

Main::global = Portal::Status

But you will probably find that only always allowing those two status codes is limited so I would create a value list called Status, based upon field values (and all values from Portal::Status). Then format your global as a checkbox so that Users can select different status as they wish (independently from each other) and the portal will prefill accordingly.

When the user signs off and back on, the default A & AD will fill the portal again.

If you instead REALLY want to lock the portal to only A & AD, then you can indeed use a calculation (result is text) with: "A¶AD" and create the relationship as above. But don't bother creating the value list and don't display the calc. And no, there are no stupid questions. :wink2:

Edited June 24, 2009 by Guest

[LaRetta]

I see Michael (Comment) had faster fingers tonight but I also wanted to mention ...

I had to create a Global Variable and keep it populated with "A"

In FileMaker, there is a big difference between a global field and a global variable. A global variable can NOT be used in a relationship but globals (and calculations) can because they are actual fields.

Even if you decide for now that you don't want Users to change that status, you can still use the global and simply not display it for users to eliminate possibility of them changing it. Then later, if you change your mind and/or Users complain, you can create a checkbox for them.

[ejpvi]

Thanks for the info.. I decided to go ahead and create a value list and drop down, so they can see items with any status they pick.

But I am going to see now how to have multiple variables A (carriage return) AB like you mentioned. Thanks!

[ejpvi]

I was going to mention, I came across a different way to approach this.

Instead of using a Drop Down. I used Check Boxes. This allowed me to select multiple items from my value list, giving me the flexibility and allowing them any combination.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[LaRetta]

I came across a different way to approach this. Instead of using a Drop Down. I used Check Boxes.

... I would create a value list called Status, based upon field values (and all values from Portal::Status). [color:blue]Then format your global as a checkbox so that Users can select different status as they wish (independently from each other) and the portal will prefill accordingly.

And then I mentioned it again when you said you were going to use a drop-down in the thread directly above.

:idunno:

[ejpvi]

your right. I can't believe I missed that. I must have skimmed over the checkbox part.

Too much coffee... reading too quickly.

I really appreciate the help... thanks!